Restrictive Lung Disease CAT

Question 1

What are restrictive lung diseases (RLDs)?

Answer 1

• A classification of disorders caused by a pulmonary or extrapulmonary restriction
• Causes an impairment in lung expansion and an abnormal reduction in ventilation

Question 2

What can cause RLD? (intrapulmonary)

Answer 2

• Tumor
• Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
• Scarring in lungs
• Pneumonia

Question 3

What can cause RLD? (extrapulmonary)

Answer 3

• Pleural effusion
• Chest wall stiffness
• Structural abnormality
• Postural deformity
• Respiratory muscle weakness
• CNS injury

Question 4

Clinical presentation of RLD

Answer 4

• Decrease in lung and chest wall compliance
• Decrease in lung volumes
• Increased work of breathing
• Decreased breath sounds
• Shortness of breath
• Hypoxemia
• Rapid and shallow breath pattern
• Respiratory muscle weakness
• Ineffective cough
• Increased use of accessory muscles

Question 5

Imaging/labs for RLD

Answer 5

• Chest x-ray
• Arterial blood gas

Question 6

Pulmonary function testing w/ RLD

Answer 6

• Impaired vital capacity, forced vital capacity, and total lung capacity
• Normal residual volume and expiration flow rate
• Decreased expiratory reserve volume and functional residual capacity

Question 7

Arterial blood gases w/ RLD

Answer 7

Hypoxemia and hypocapnia

Question 8

PT w/ RLD

Answer 8

• Maximize gas exchange
• Obtain max functional capacity
• Body mechanics, posture training, diaphragm and ventilatory muscle strengthening
• Relaxation and energy conservation techniques
• Breathing exercises
• Coughing techniques
• Airway secretion clearance